Today we are joined by Pelvic Health Occupational Therapist, Lindsey Vestal to talk all things myths and mysteries of the pelvic floor. We start with discussing what the pelvic floor really is and what it consists of. What is its actual job? Why is this area of the body so filled with shame, trauma and tension? Does it really get more loose down there post birth or is this just a myth? We discuss the role of the nervous system in pelvic floor health. What fear does to the birthing person’s pelvic floor and how letting go of our fears and tensions can really help us. Not only during birth but also in our day to day life. What is the role of breathing in pelvic floor health? What is a simple way to connect with one’s pelvic floor? Are Kegels the solution? Is there ever a place for Kegels? Who might benefit from them and who might get even more dysfunctional after doing lots of kegels? Lindsey sheds light on the mysteries of the pelvic floor and what a more holistic, individualized approach can look like (hint: kegels aren’t it!). She sheds light on the role perinatal professionals who are not pelvic health therapists themselves play in helping their clients and patients thrive. She also shares tips on how to find the perfect pelvic practitioner for you. Lindsey and I also dig into the difference between the overactive vs underactive pelvic floor. Are there any self-checks we can do to evaluate our pelvic floor health? She goes into great detail about training and retraining your bladder to be more functional and responsive. We dive deep into the myths and mysteries of the postpartum period and discuss realistic healing timelines, strategies and why there’s so much more to it than just going to a therapist and getting a pelvic floor release. Lindsey offers us hope that the body is adaptable and that we do not have to “just deal” with pelvic floor dysfunction because we have given birth. We are honored to have her back as BRM® faculty! Website: https://www.functionalpelvis.com/Podcast: https://podfollow.com/ots-in-pelvic-health/viewShow notes: Checklist to assess your own pelvic floor health | Body Ready Method® Training